Trailer Hitch Motorcycle Carrier Confusion

[AuburnATX]

I just purchased a 600 lb capacity motorcycle trailer hitch carrier for a trip we are about to take. I got a bit confused after reading the owners manual if the Gladiator will be able to support the weight. The trailer is about 100 lbs, the bike is just over 400 lbs so combined weight no more than 550 lbs. The owners manual states that the tongue weight is 400 lbs on the non-Max Tow version (mine is a rubicon with mopar 2" lift). So with those numbers, I'll be over by 150 lbs. Does this seem right? I thought that the tongue weight would be much higher than 400 lbs. Anyone else use a trailer hitch to haul their motorcycle?

Sponsored

 

[jwilson2899]

I just purchased a 600 lb capacity motorcycle trailer hitch carrier for a trip we are about to take. I got a bit confused after reading the owners manual if the Gladiator will be able to support the weight. The trailer is about 100 lbs, the bike is just over 400 lbs so combined weight no more than 550 lbs. The owners manual states that the tongue weight is 400 lbs on the non-Max Tow version (mine is a rubicon with mopar 2" lift). So with those numbers, I'll be over by 150 lbs. Does this seem right? I thought that the tongue weight would be much higher than 400 lbs. Anyone else use a trailer hitch to haul their motorcycle?

if you have a Rubicon then your tongue weight rating is actually 700 pounds. There was an owners manual addendum to correct that, here’s a pic of it:

 

[AuburnATX]

Thanks @jwilson2899! Helpful info and missed the addendum. Saved me some towing anxiety on the upcoming trip.

 

[kevman65]

Take this with a grain of salt.

The NTSB requires manufacturers to build to a safety factor of 2.5.

So if they give you a weight, multiply it by 2.5 and THAT is what it has to withstand for an extended period to get the rating they give.

Now, if you cause any type of accident the insurance company WILL investigate and if they prove you went past the maximum weight for the vehicle/hitch you WILL be personally liable for all damages.

With that all said, I have seen an old Ford Ranger with a hitch carrier for a motorcycle carrying a full dress Harley. Yes the back end was sagged so bad the bike was almost dragging the ground.

 

[SwampNut]

It will squat the vehicle quite a bit, but you won't be horribly unsafe. It's just going to be annoying. If you're going to do this often, get air bags. If it's a one time deal, probably fine. I put my 450 pound adventure bike on a hitch carrier on my JKUR. It was very annoying to be squatted like that, and it made the drive less stable and straight. But not insanely so. The Gladiator has more payload, but also puts that hitch way farther back from the tires.

Why wouldn't you put the bike in the bed? My plan is to sell the hitch carrier and do that.

 

[AuburnATX]

Good info and looks like the truck can take the 550 lbs of tongue weight on the back. It's only about an 1 .5 hr mostly freeway trip.

Two main reasons for not putting the motorcycle in the bed for this trip:

1. Getting a 450 lb adv bike in the bed on a lifted truck by yourself is never fun
2. I'll be using the bed for camping gear, coolers, bicycles, etc.

Last time I did a similar trip the motorcycle took up too much bed space and we needed to take two cars. Good to have this trailer hitch option for these situations.

I'll report back how it help up after the trip!

 

[SwampNut]

Good points. I'd like to hear what you think about it. I drove my JK with the bike on it for six hours, long trip. I took all the luggage off to minimize weight back there, but of course, the luggage uses space. I used it to pack stuff for the trip.

Oh, I also strapped the rack itself to my recovery D-rings, to keep it level and stable.

 

[maxpower220]

I would look for the aluminum carrier as they weigh less and easier to handle.

Next check the actual hitch. The hitch, class 1,2,3,4,and 5 have ratings. That rating is what you need to be concerned with. Obviously the tow and payload ratings are well under.

 

[SwampNut]

OP and I already own the carriers. Aluminum is crazy expensive and the weight difference is only around 25 pounds. When I shopped, I decided on a steel one with more features and more capacity versus the aluminum which cost 3x more and had fewer attachment options.

Oh, another note for OP... I don't know how it will work on the Gladiator, but as you can see, on the JK it blocked the lights. So I added cheap $12 trailer lights from Harbor Freight and plugged them into the trailer connector.

 

[AuburnATX]

Here is the hitch trailer I ordered, good reviews and seems sturdy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002M3ODTC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Good call on the lights, didn't think through that. Looks like a trip to HF is in my near future!

 

[KVJ]

I kinda like this one. No need to worry about sag or lights and you can load yourself. I lowers with that handle. $114.00 https://www.yescomusa.com/products/800lbs-motorcycle

 

[SwampNut]

No need to worry about sag or lights and you can load yourself.

No, but personally I'd be extremely worried about the bike's rear tire, chain, and transmission. I know lots of people use these, but it makes me uneasy. Also you lose any ability to back up. And hopefully you don't forget and try to... Also can't park in any normal space any more. Beyond that you are right that it has some other advantages.

 

[KVJ]

I had never seen one of these before and thought it was interesting. I was waiting for someone to comment about the chain & transmission. Actually I would rather have a single bike trailer. They are easy to load the bike on and create no load on the truck except for the minor amount of tongue weight.

 

[SwampNut]

I really don't know that it would be bad for the bike, but I'd be worried about it.

Trailers have compromises too. I used to own a small trailer to carry two dirt bikes. Storing it was a bit of a pain, but it was a fold-up so not a huge pain. I travel to CA often, and picked up the bike in my pic in CA. They have a 15 MPH reduction for ANY trailer you tow, and they enforce it randomly. Trailers cost more and take maintenance.

Just some thoughts to keep in mind, everything is a compromise.

 

[Jeepfreak22]

Carried my bike 1600 miles from fl to ma. 380lbs. Very little squat. On the way down to fl had the bike on the back behind a motorhome. All was great. Notice the light on the wheels.

Sponsored